3 n 1 oil good alternatives
- Thread starter TNHEMIFAN
- Start date
Wrench97
Well-known member
Synthetic 0-20w
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
I use 3 in 1 to lubricate my vintage/antique fans. No problems. Why do you need an alternative?
Walkers
Well-known member
Just use 3 in 1 oil.
bubinga
Well-known member
ISO 32 hydraulic oil.
bob15
Well-known member
Tri-flow, MMO, Starrett M1, Hoppe gun oil, Lucas gun oil, Rem lube
It is never in stock locally or I would. Would really like a synthetic alternative to try out.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Dexron VI. Synthetic ATF is the best lubricant I know of.
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dnschmidt
Well-known member
Where do you live the North Pole. How the hell can there be a place in America that doesn't have 3 in 1 oil?
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
A SAE-10 should work. Dino or Syn.
Nutria
Well-known member
Wow, no 3-in-1 near you; I like their 20 wt electric motor oil a lot. How about sewing machine oil? It's certainly formulated for small geared assemblies.
seber
Well-known member
Any gun oil is as good or better. Suggestions of motor oil or transmission oil are good but are not a substitute as they contain multiple additives.
Dumber than lumber
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2015
- Messages
- 1,928
Zoomspout Oiler.
Lesser weight than 3 in 1, but a very good light oil, IMO.
Lesser weight than 3 in 1, but a very good light oil, IMO.
nadogail
Well-known member
3-1n-One.com has a website and will direct you to where the product is sold.
claymont
Well-known member
Ebay has it
3-IN-ONE - 10038 Multi-Purpose Oil 8 OZ 1-Pack
3 in One Oil Multi Purpose oil / 3 in One SAE20 Motor Oil
3-IN-ONE Motor Oil created a special blend of high-grade oils that’s equivalent to SAE 20. The motor oil formulation is ideal for lubricating the moving parts of electrical motors. Its precise, easy-to-use drip spout enables precise application, with no overspray or splatter, and its updated packaging has a fill level indicator strip that shows you when you're running low. 3-IN-ONE oil can be used to lubricate tools, hinges, nuts and bolts, bicycles, wheels, fans and many other moving parts
SUPER LUBE MULTI-PURPOSE OIL # 51004 - 4oz BOTTLE
Super Lube Oil with PTFE is a premium, synthetic oil with suspended PTFE particles that bond to surfaces of moving parts providing protection against friction, wear, rust and corrosion. Ideally suited for industrial machinery and equipment, it is safe on metal, rubber, plastic, wood, leather, fabric and painted surfaces. Machinery lasts longer, downtime is reduced and productivity is increased.
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This would be my suggestion. As a bonus, the better stuff is (almost) non-staining. I use it my wood working tool rag oiler, works great.
Indexmill
Well-known member
Kroil Brand "MICROIL",
Precision Instrument Lubricant
Precision Instrument Lubricant
Amazon.com: Kano - Microil Precision Instrument Lubricant, 8oz : Automotive
Amazon.com: Kano - Microil Precision Instrument Lubricant, 8oz : Automotive
www.amazon.com
MushCreek
Well-known member
In this age of 'shortages', I just look online until I find what I need, then order enough to last me a while.
I agree. I don't think old 3 in 1 has changed in over 50 years. Yet mega $'s have been invested in perfecting these modern synthetic ATF formulations that are designed to lubricate gears and continue doing so for well over 100K harsh automotive miles. As long as the viscosity isn't a problem, I'd use ATF for any light viscosity gear lubrication application. (or John Deere low viscosity Hy Gard, Allison TranSynd, Delvac 1 ATF etc).
A quart of Dexron VI is way cheaper then this old 3 in 1 **** over the long run.
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demarpaint
Well-known member
I'd use a non-detergent 10 grade or 30 grade oil depending on what it will be used for. For gears I'd probably use a 30 grade.
Small town and it’s always out of stock
North Pole would have it for Santa’s factory
chappys4life
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2008
- Messages
- 421
i use the lucas gun oil. or red and tacky
fsae0607
Well-known member
Really? I can find 3in1 at the grocery store lol
For an alternative, use either non-detergent 20W or 30W oil in a squirter can. That's what I do for general purpose lubing around the shop.
For an alternative, use either non-detergent 20W or 30W oil in a squirter can. That's what I do for general purpose lubing around the shop.
This, exactly. Motor oil and ATF contain detergent additives which are often not necessary or useful.
I tend to buy whatever gun oil is on sale, in order to keep a few small containers handy here and there.
I just oiled a 1955 bathroom exhaust fan with a 1968 can of 3n1 oil.
James-W
Well-known member
As far as I know 3 in 1 oil doesn't have any magical properties that make it far superior to all other oils. Therefore pretty much any light oil should work just fine for lubricating small gears.
dutchgray
Well-known member
I use food grade mineral oil for things where you want a very light grade high refined oil, its very clear with nothing added in.
Also very cheap compared to many actual similar products in little bottles, basically barely more than motor oil.
Also very cheap compared to many actual similar products in little bottles, basically barely more than motor oil.
Keep
Well-known member
I use food grade mineral oil on damn near everything from my Juki 563 upholstery sewing machine to old machine motors. Cheap readily available and works pretty damn good.
HenryAZ
MEMBER EMERITUS
This is what I use for a light machine/tool oil. I bought the quart can about 10 years ago, and it's still half full.
Labelle 108 synthetic oil
Amazon.com: Labelle Industries - Plastic Compatible Motor Oil : Arts, Crafts & Sewing
Amazon.com: Labelle Industries - Plastic Compatible Motor Oil : Arts, Crafts & Sewing
www.amazon.com
Nyoil II synthetic oil.
www.nyelubricants.com
Nyoil mineral lubricant
Amazon.com: NyOil II Thin Film Oil Lubricant for use on Pinewood Derby Car Axles - Proven Friction Reducer to Make car Faster : Arts, Crafts & Sewing
Amazon.com: NyOil II Thin Film Oil Lubricant for use on Pinewood Derby Car Axles - Proven Friction Reducer to Make car Faster : Arts, Crafts & Sewing
www.amazon.com
Nye Lubricants | A Member of the FUCHS Group
Nye’s mission is to partner with innovative companies to develop high-performance solutions using our lubricant technology and engineering expertise.
Nyoil mineral lubricant
NyOil - Thin Film Lubricant - Power Tool Lubricants - Amazon.com
NyOil - Thin Film Lubricant - Power Tool Lubricants - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
tool_scrounge
Well-known member
Zoom spout is cheap and has a handy applicator.
I also use 10 or 30 weight Non-Detergent oil, available from most car part stores. Detergent motor oils are great for cars, not so much for machine tools, especially gear reduction oil baths.
For exposed gear applications, I usually use Cling or equivalent open gear or chain lubricant. Sticky as heck and does not migrate. But usually that is on larger gears.
I also use 10 or 30 weight Non-Detergent oil, available from most car part stores. Detergent motor oils are great for cars, not so much for machine tools, especially gear reduction oil baths.
For exposed gear applications, I usually use Cling or equivalent open gear or chain lubricant. Sticky as heck and does not migrate. But usually that is on larger gears.